Labeling-machine.



No. 639,627. Patented Dec. l9, I899.

' C. F. TEBBETTS.

LABELING MACHINE.

(Application filed Nov. 21; 1898.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet TNEu'unm's PETER *0. PNlITOilTI'lLWASMINGTOM u. c

No. 639,627. Patenfed Dec. l9, I899.

c. r. TEBBETTS.

LABELING MACHINE.

(Application filed. Nov. 21, 1898.)

2 Shee tsSheet 2.

(No Model.)

: NoRm's rzrzas co.v orum UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE.

CHARLES F. TEBBETTS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- A HALFTO CHARLES E. BROWNELL, OF NEW BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS.

MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 639,627, datedDecember 19, 1899. Application filed November 21, 1898. Serial No.696,975 (No model.)

I apply the same to the article to be labeled.

Another object is to roll the bottle as the label is being applied andto roll it backward after it has been applied, so that the bottle isgiven a rotary motion in two directions in the application of the labelin order to insure the adhering of the label more readily to the bottle.

Another object is to apply mucilage from a mucilage-roll to the label asthe label passes from the label-box to the article to be labeled andupon the return movement of the labelcarrier to provide means forpreventing the mucilage from the roll coming in contact with the bottomof the label-carrier, thereby avoiding the smearing of the under side ofthe label-carrier.

These and other objects are carried out by the construction hereinafterdescribed, and shown in the drawings.

My invention consists of certain novel features hereinafterdescribed,and particularly pointed out in the claims. I

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a construction embodyingmy invention, Figure l is a side view ofmyimproved labeling-machine,showing the parts in their normal positions before the starting of themachine with the label-carrier over the labelboX. Fig. 2 is a plan viewof the machine with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 isa detail side and sectional view showing the position of the bottle ofthe labelcarrier in the forward movement of the same during theapplication of the label from said carrier to the bottle. Fig. 4 is asectional view on the line X, Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicatedby the arrow. Fig. 5 is an end view looking from the right-hand end ofFig. 1. Fig. 6 is a reverse detail plan view of the bottom of thelabel-carrier from the suction-openings to the rear of the carrier. Fig.7 is a top plan view of the bottom plates of the label-carrier from thesuction-openings forward. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional Viewthroughthat portion of the label-carrier shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is asectional view through the label-box. Fig. 10 is a plan view of thelabel-box. Fig. ll'isa sectional detail view of the friction-roll in themucilage-applying device.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts throughout the severalviews.

Upon the upper ends of the opposite standards A is mounted thebase-plate B, upon which is mounted, near one end, the label-box C, inwhich the labels C are stacked on a movable plate C from which extenddownwardly the opposite rods C connected at their lower ends by thecross-brace C, so that the cross-brace C rods C and plate 0 all moveupwardly as thelabels are used up by reason of the weight D, to which isconnected the chain D, which passes over the pulley D on the frame E andis secured at its lower end D to the cross-brace C. It is obvious thatas the labels are removed from the top of the stack of labels the weightD will cause the plate C to move upwardly and keep the labels in theupper part of the box, so that one is always in position to be taken offin the operation of the machine. The label-box C is provided withmovable sides F, adapted to move inwardly and outwardly to aooommodatelabels of different widths, and to allow for said in-and-out movementthe sides F are cut away at F, so that the sides can be moved close inaround the movable bottom plate C Each side F of the box is providedwith lengthwise slots F, in which there is adapted to be adjusted theblock F held in its adjusted position by the thumb-screw F and by meansof said adjustable block labels of different lengths can be placed inthe box and held in 5 a forward position. As above described, means areprovided for different widths of labels and also for different lengthsof labels. The rear ends of the labels contactwith said blocks F in themanner shown in Fig. 9 and we are held forward by said blocks.

Extending upwardly from the opposite ends.

of the base-plate B are standards G G, to which are secured the parallelrods G G on which there is adapted to slide the cylinder H by means ofthe supporting-guides H H which are secured to the cylinder, and uponthe movementof the cylinder by means of the rod I, hereinafter referredto, the supportingguides H slide along the rods G G To the forward endof the cylinder there is pivotally connected at 1 the rod I, to whichthere is pivotally connected the bell-crank I pivoted at 1 in one of thestandards A, and at the other end of said bell-crank 1 there ispivotally connected the link I which in turn is pivotally connected at Ito the gear-wheel I, which is mounted on a stud 1 secured to thestandard A. with a smaller gear-wheel l lixed fast 011 the shaft 1 inthe standard A, and to which is fixed fast the driving-pulley l drivenby the belt 1 In the revolution of the drivingpulley 1 the motion iscommunicated to the machine through the above-described mechanisms, soas to provide a reciprocating movement for the cylinder H and connectedparts, which together form the label-carrier.

The lower forward end of the cylinder H in the supporting-guide H is cutaway, so as to provide communication between the chamber H formed in thehollow supporting-guide H, and the interior of the cylinder. To theunder sides of the supporting-guides H H is secured the. plate J, towhich is secured by screws J the metal plate J and to the under side ofsaid metal plate is located the rubber plate J Said rubber plate isprovided with a series of grooves J (see Fig. 6,) extending the entirelength of said plate, which, as

shown in Fig. 1, extends from the rear end of the label-box forward andbeyond the mucilage-roll K, which is mounted to work in the mucilage-boxK, mounted on the standards K secured to the base-plate B. Themucilage-roll K consists of a series of metal disks L, secured on theshaft L and spaced from each other by suitable collars L all fast on theshaft L. The disks L are so adjusted as to aline with the grooves J inthe rubber plate J On the right-hand end of the shaft L is fast thefriction-roll L with which an extension J on the plate J frictionallyengages, Fig. 5, so that as said plates J 2 J secured together, moveforwardly by reason of their being connected to the supportingguides H Hthe friction-roll L and shaft L will be rotated so as to turn the disksL and apply lines of mucilage to the under side of the label carried onthe bottom of the rubber plate J (Shownin Fig. 3.) After thelabelcarrier has moved the entire length of its forward stroke it willbe returned by mechanism previously described, and upon the returnmovement of said carrier the down ward extension J of the plate J willstill frictionally engage the roll L but will not turn the shaft L anddisks L, because the plate L within the periphery of the roll L will bere- Said gear-wheel meshes label-carrier the rolls L are forcedagainstthe inside of the inner periphery of the roll L and cause africtional engagement and turn the shaft L, secured to the plate L sothat, as previously stated, in the forward movement of the label-carrierthe mucilageroll K applies lines of mucilage to the under side of thelabel, while on the return movement of the label-carrier themucilage-roll does not turn, and, further, the disks L of said rollbeing out of contact with the under side of the labelcarrier, owing tothe grooves J no mucilage will be applied to the under side of thelabel-carrier and smearing of said label-carrier will be avoided. As themucilage-roll is very light,I have provided a springpawl U, which isadapted to engage with the teeth U on the shaft L to prevent anypossibility of the turning of the mucilage-roll upon the return movementof the label-carrier. On the forward movement of the labelcarrier thepawl U rides over the teeth U and permits the revolution of the shaft L.These disks L extend very slightly into the grooves- J and when a labelis over said grooves slightly press the label inwardlyin'applying themucilage, and upon the return movement of the cylinder H the plates J Jand disks L do not apply any mucilage to the grooves, being directlyunder the grooves and out of contact therewith. The scraper K secured tothe mueilage-box K, (see Fig. 3,) is sufficiently close to the edges ofthe disks L to prevent a surplus of mucilage adhering to the edges ofthe disks, and thereby providing for a sufficient amount and not toomuch mucilage getting on the label.

Located on the base-plate B beyond the mucilage-box is a frame M, inwhich are journaled two rolls M M on tilting pivots N to allow for theinequalities of the bottles as the label-carrier in its travel presseson the bottles being labeled. From the lower side of the frame M extenddownwardly the two studs M on opposite sides into and through theopposite boxes M secured by the bolts M to the baseplate B. Within saidboxes and resting against the enlarged head of the stud and at the otherend against the inside of the box is a spring M for the purpose ofpressing the rolls up against the bottle 0 located on said rolls inposition to be labeled as the bottom plate J of the label-carriercoinesover said bottle and produces a slight pressing of the bottledownward against the rolls M M Secured to the base-plate B in front ofthe bottles to be labeled are a series of curved fingers P, which are solocated as to extend upwardly into the slots J as the end of the plate Jmoves forward in the application of a label to a bottle. These fingerspass under the front edges of the labels (see Fig. 3) and guide themdown onto the bottle,

and as the forward movement of the cylinder held stationary. As thelabel-carrier begins its return movement, the bottle is turned over bythe plate J so that the label is again pressed by the rolls M Magainst'the bottle. These two opposite movements of the bottle not onlyassist the label in adhering to the bottle, but give the mucilage moretime to stick the label to the bottle.

In the position shown in Fig. 1 the chamber H in the supporting-guide His over the front ends of the labels, as shown in Fig. 4, and as thecylinder II begins its forward stroke, by reason of the connectionspreviously described, the piston Q within said cylinder, fixed fast onthe piston-rod R, which is secured fast to the bracket R, creates avacuum in the forward part of said cylinder in the chamber H of thesupporting-guide II and draws up the front end of the top label over theopenings S of the plate S, dovetailed in the plates J 2 and J and saidvacuum holds said label on said bottom plate J over and to the rear ofthe openings S. As the label-carrier moves forward, with the label heldby the vacuum, the vacuum continues until the front edge of the label isover the bottle to be labeled, and at this point the piston Q has passedthe opening T in the cylinder H and destroys the vacuum and allows thelabel to adhere to the bottle. Even though the vacuum is destroyed, yetto prevent any possibility of the labels adhering to the under side ofthe label-carrier I have provided the fingers P to positively remove thelabels from the under side of the label-carrier.

I do not limit myself to the arrangement and construction shown, as thesame may be varied without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus ascertained the nature of myinvention and set forth aconstruction embodying the same, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. In an apparatus for labeling articles, a label-box for holding thelabels, a label-carrier for transferring a label from the labelbox tothe article to be labeled, means for producing a vacuum for lifting alabel from the label-box and for holding it on the labelcarrier, meansoperated independently of said vacuum formoving the label-carrier fromthe label-box to the articles to be labeled, an adhesive-applying deviceconsisting of a series of separated disks adapted to be moved by themovement of the label-carrier for applying adhesive material to thelabel as the under side of said label passes over and in contact withsaid disks on the travel of said label from the label-box to the articleto'be labeled, and means for applying the transferred label to thearticle to be labeled.

2. In an apparatus for labeling articles, a label-box forholding thelabels, a label-carrier for transferring a label from the labelboX tothe article to be labeled, means for producing a vacuum for lifting alabel from the label-box and for holding it on the labelcarrier, meansoperated independently of said vacuum for moving the label-carrier fromthe label-box to the article to be labeled and for returning it to thelabel-box after the application of the transferred label, anadhesiveapplying device consisting of a series ofseparated disks adaptedto be moved by the movement of the label-carrier for applying adhesivematerial to the label as the under side of said label passes over and incontact with said disks on the travel of said label from .the label-boxto the article to be labeled, and

means for applying the transferred label to the article to labeled.

3. In an apparatus for labeling articles, a label-box for holding thelabels, a label-carrier for transferring a label from the labelbox tothe article to be labeled", means for producing a vacuum for lifting alabel from the label-box and for holding it on the labelcarrier, meansoperated independently of said vacuum for moving the label-carrier fromthe label-box to the article to be labeled, an-

adhesive applying device consisting of a series of separated disksadapted to be moved by the movement of the label-carrier for applyingadhesive material to the label as the under side of said label passesover and in contact with said disks on the travel of said label from thelabel-box to the article to be labeled, means for applying thetransferred label to the article to be labeled, and means for preventingthe application of the adhesive material to the under side of thelabelcarrier upon the return of said label-carrier from the article tobe labeled to the label-box.

l. In an apparatus for labeling articles, a label-box for holding thelabels, a label-oarrier for transferring a label from the label-box tothe article to be labeled, means for lifting a label from the label-boxand for holding it on the label-carrier, means for moving thelabel-carrier from the label-box to the article to be labeled, anadhesive-applying device consisting of a series of separated disksadapted to be moved by the movement of the label-carrier for applyingadhesive material to the label as the under side of said label passesover and in contact with said disks on the travel of said label from thelabel-box to the article to be labeled, means for applying thetransferred label to the article to be labeled, there being a series ofgrooves in the.

under side of the label-carrier and located above said washers forpreventing the application of adhesive material to the under side of thelabel-carrier upon the return of said label-carrier from the article tobe labeled to the label-box.

5. In an apparatus for labeling articles, a label-box for holding thelabels, a label-carrier for transferring a label from the labelbox tothe article to be labeled, means for producing a vacuum in thelabel-carrier by the movement of said label-carrier to lift a label fromthe label-box and to hold it on the labelcarrier during its travel tothe article to be labeled, means operated independently of said vacuumfor moving the label-carrier from the label-box to the article to belabeled, a device located in the line of travel of the label-carrier andmoved by said label-carrier for applying adhesive material to the underside of the label on its travel from the labelbox to the article to belabeled, and means for applying the transferred label to the article tobe labeled.

6. In an apparatus for labeling articles, a label-box for holding thelabels, a label-carrier for transferring a label from the labelbox tothe article to be labeled, means for producing a vacuum in thelabel-carrier by the movement of said label-carrier to lift a label fromthe label-box and to hold it on the labelcarrier during its travel tothe article to be labeled, means operated independently of the saidvacuum for moving the label-carrier from the label-box to the article tobe labeled, an adhesive-applying device consisting of a series ofseparated disks and located in the line of travel of the label-carrierand moved by said label-carrier for applying adhesive material to theunder side of the label on its travel from the label-box to the articleto be labeled, and means for applying the transferred label to thearticle to be labeled.

7. In an apparatus for labeling articles, a label-box for holding thelabels, a label-car rier for transferring a label from the labelbox tothe article to be labeled, means for producing a vacuum for lifting alabel from the label-box and for holding it on the label-carrier, meansoperated independently of said vacuum for moving the label-carrier fromthe label-box to the article to be labeled, an adhesive-applying deviceconsisting of a series of separated disks adapted to be moved by themovement of the label-carrier for applying adhesive material to thelabel as the under side of said label passes over and in contact withsaid disks on the travel of said label from the label-box to the articleto be labeled, means for applying the transferred label to the articleto be labeled, and means for rolling the article to be labeled duringthe application of the transferred label.

8. In an apparatus for labeling articles, a label-box for holding thelabels, a label-carrier for transferring a label from the label- ,box tothe article to be labeled, means for lifting a label from the label-boxand for holding it on the label-carrier, means for moving thelabel-carrier from the label-box to the article to be labeled, anadhesive-applying device consisting of a series of separated disksadapted to be moved by the movement of the label-carrier for applyingadhesive material to the label as the under side of said label passesover and in contact with said disks on the travel of said label from thelabel-box to the article to be labeled, means for applying thetransferred label to the article to be labeled, and means for rollingthe article to be labeled in opposite directions during the applicationof the transferred label.

9. In an apparatus for labeling articles, a label-box for holding thelabels, a label-carrier for transferring a label from the labelbox tothe article to be labeled, means for producing a vacuum for lifting alabel from the label-box and for holding it on the labelcarrier, meansoperated independently of said vacuum for moving the label-carrier fromthe label-box to the article to be labeled, a device for applyingadhesive material to the label as the under side of said label passesover and in contact with said device on the travel of said label fromthe label-box to the article to be labeled, and means for guiding thetransferred label from the label-carrier to the article to be labeled.

10. In an apparatus for labeling articles, a label-box for holding thelabels, a label-carrier for transferring a label from the labelbox tothe article to be labeled, means for producing a vacuum for lifting alabel from the label-box and for holding it on the labelcarrier, meansoperated independently of said vacuum for moving the label-carrier fromthe label-box to the article to be labeled, a device for applyingadhesive material to the label as the under side of said label passesover and in contact with said device on the travel of said label fromthe labelbox to the article to be labeled, means for guiding thetransferred label from the labelcarrier to the article to be labeled,and means for applying the transferred label to the article to belabeled.

11. In an apparatus for labeling articles, a label-box for holding thelabels, a yielding support, rollers mounted in said support and on whichthe article to be labeled is placed, a label-carrier for transferring alabel from the label-box to the article to be labeled and for rollingsaid article during the application of said label, means for producing avacuum for lifting a label from the label-box and for holding it on thelabel-carrier, means operated independently of said vacuum for movingthe label-carrier from the label-box to the article to be labeled, adevice for applying adhesive material to the label as the under side ofsaid label passes over and in contact with said device on the travel ofsaid label from the label-box to the article to be labeled, and meansfor guiding the transferred label from the label-carrier to the articleto be labeled.

12. In an apparatus for labeling articles, a

label-box for holding the labels, a yielding support, rollers mounted insaid support and on which the article to be labeled is placed, alabel-carrier for transferring a label from the label-box to the articleto be labelled and for rolling said article during the application ofsaid-label, means for producing a vacuum for lifting a label from thelabel-box and for holding it on the label-carrier, means operatedindependently of said vacuum for moving the label-carrier from thelabel-box to the article to be labeled, a device for applying adhesivematerial to the label as the under side of said label passes over and incontact with said device on the travel of said label from the label-boxto the article to be labelled, and a series of fingers for guiding thetransferred label from the label-carrier to the article to be labeled.

13. In an apparatus for labeling articles, a label-box for holding thelabels, a label-carrier for transferring a label from the labelbox tothe article to be labeled, means for lifting a label from the label-boxand for holding it on the label-carrier, means for moving thelabel-carrier from the label-box to the article to be labeled, anadhesive-applying device consisting of a series of separated disksadapted to be moved by the movement of the label-carrier for applyingadhesive material to the label as the under side of said label passesover and in contact with said disks on the travel of said label from thelabel-box to the article to be labeled, means for applying thetransferred label to the article to be labeled, there being a series ofgrooves in the under side of the label-carrier and located above saiddisks for prevent.- ing the application of adhesive material to theunder side of the label-carrier upon the return of said label-carrierfrom the article to be labeled to the label-box, and a series of fingersadapted to enter said grooves to guide the transferred label from thelabelcarrier to the article to be labeled.

14. In an apparatus for labeling articles, a label-box for holding thelabels, a movable plate on which the labels are placed, means for movingsaid plate upwardly, one or more movable sides cut away to allowadjustment of said sides upon said movable plate for labels of differentwidths, there being a slot in each movable plate, and an adjustableblock in each slot to hold the labels in the forward position in saidbox.

15. In an apparatus for labeling articles, a label-box for holding thelabels, a label-carrier for transferring a label from the labelboX tothe article to be labeled, means consisting of a piston-head forproducing a vacuum in said label-carrier by the move ment of saidlabel-carrier to lift a label from the label-box and to hold it on thelabel-carrier during its travel from the label-box to the article to belabeled, means operated independently of said vacuum for moving thelabel-carrier from the label-box to the article to be labeled, anadhesive-applying device located in the line of travel of thelabel-carrier for applying adhesive material to the under side of thelabel on its travel from the label-box to the article to be labeled, andmeans for applying the transferred label to the article to be labeled.

16. In an apparatus for labeling articles, a label-box for holding thelabels, a label-carrier for transferring a label from the labelbox tothe article to be labeled, means consisting of a fixed piston-head forproducing a vacuum in said label-carrier by the movement of saidlabel-carrier to lift a label from the label-box and to hold it on thelabel-carrier during its travel from the label-box to the article to belabeled, means for moving the label-carrier from the label-box to thearticle to be labeled, an adhesive-applying device located in the lineof travel of the label-carrier for applying adhesive material to theunder side of the label on its travel from the label-box to the articleto be labeled, means for applying the transferred label to the articleto be labeled, and means consisting of the label-carrier for rolling thearticle to be labeled.

17. In an apparatus for labeling articles, a label-box for holding thelabels, a label-carrier for transferring a label from the labelbox tothe article to be labeled, means for producing a vacuum for lifting alabel from the label-box and for holding it on the labelcarrier duringits travel to the article to be labeled, means operated independently ofsaid vacuum for moving the label-carrier from the label-box to thearticle to be labeled, a device located in the line of travel of thelabel-carrier for applying adhesive material to the under side of thelabel on its-travel from the label-box to the article to be labeled,means for applying the transferred label to the article to be labeled,and means for preventing the application of the adhesive material to theunder side of the label-carrier upon the return of said label-carrierfrom the article to be labeled to the label-box.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses, this 12th day of November, A. D.1898.

CHARLES F. TEBBETTS.

Witnesses:

A. L. MESSER, O. A. STEWART.

